Ind. factory retools for new wheelchair car model

MISHAWAKA, Ind. — The northern Indiana factory that once made Hummer SUVs is going to be retooled to start producing a luxury version of a wheelchair-accessible car.

The AM General factory in Mishawaka mish-ah-WAH'-kuh) started building the car called the MV-1 last year for the Vehicle Production Group. The cars feature a 3-foot high door that allows a person in a wheelchair to use a built-in ramp to get in alone and sit next to the driver.

Vehicle Production Group vice president Mike Carney tells the South Bend Tribune that sales of the original model are going well and the company believes the higher-end version will have great appeal.

AM General says about 75 workers will be laid off next week for a month while the factory is prepared for the new model.